Sign inBefore taking eletriptan
Before taking eletriptan make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:
- If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
- If you are aged over 65 years or under 18 years old.
- If you have any heart problems, including heart failure or an irregular heartbeat.
- If you have Prinzmetal's angina or circulatory problems such as Raynaud's disease.
- If you have recently suffered a heart attack, stroke or TIA (sometimes known as a mini-stroke).
- If you have high blood pressure.
- If you have liver or kidney problems.
- If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal or complementary medicines.
- If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine.
How to take eletriptan
- Before beginning treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet.
- Take eletriptan exactly as directed by your doctor.
- The usual dose is one 40 mg tablet taken at the start of your migraine attack, repeated after two hours if your migraine returns. If your migraine is not eased by the first dose, do not take a second dose for the same attack.
- If one 40 mg tablet is inadequate, the dose can be increased to two tablets (80 mg) for future attacks. Do not take more than 80 mg of eletriptan in 24 hours.
Getting the most from your treatment
- Do not take other migraine treatments as well as eletriptan. If you have been taking another 5HT1 agonist (almotriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan or zolmitriptan), including any bought from a pharmacy, you should wait at least 24 hours before taking eletriptan.
- If you find that eletriptan does not relieve your migraine, make an appointment to discuss this with your doctor.
- If you are having an operation or any dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
- If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
Can eletriptan cause problems?
Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.
| Possible side-effects | What can I do if I experience this |
| Dizziness and drowsiness, flushing, feeling of weakness | Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert. |
| Feeling of tingling, heat, heaviness, pressure or tightness in any part of the body, including the throat or chest | If these continue or become intense, stop taking eletriptan and contact your doctor as soon as possible |
| Feeling or being sick, stomach pains and indigestion | Eat little and often. Stick to simple foods. Speak to your doctor if any of these become troublesome |
| Dry mouth | Try chewing sugar-free gum or sugar-free sweets |
| Increased heart rate or sensation of a fluttering heart | Contact your doctor if these side-effects continue |
If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
How to store eletriptan
- Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
- Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
Important information about all medicines
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References
- Manufacturer's PIL, Relpax® Tablets, Pfizer Limited, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated June 2010.
- British National Formulary; 62nd Edition (Sep 2011) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London (link to current BNF)